source-TIMES OF INDIA(ASCENT/FEATURES)
BY-PRUYA NAIR
Posted On Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 04:34:20 PM
India is fast becoming the global hub of clinical research opening up newer avenues for science graduates in this field. Here’s a look at what it takes to enter into this promising sector
Clinical research is a systematic study of the effects, risks, efficacy and benefits of a new drug. These studies are conducted at various stages both prior to the launch of a medicine in the market and after the launch of a new medicine to monitor safety and side effects of it. And, in India, clinical research sector is on a high growth path with huge spends coming in from developed countries. According to an estimation study by McKinsey, European and US pharmaceutical companies will spend US $1.5bn per year on clinical trials in India by the year 2010.
“A good knowledge about clinical practices and regulatory issues and good management and communication skills are also important for a clinical research professional," - D Saharsh Rao, president, Contract Research, Neuland Laboratories Limited
Many factors make India a popular destination for clinical research. “Well-trained medical communities that meet the global standards, huge patient base, large and fast growing private healthcare sector, state-of-the-art hospital facilities, lower costs for conducting trials, diversity in gene pool etc are few factors favoring clinical research,” explains D Saharsh Rao, president, Contract Research, Neuland Laboratories Limited.
Opportunities galore
According to experts, there are many opportunities waiting to be explored in this field. “Important clinical research outsourcing works happening in India are in the field of regulatory services, pre-clinical services, laboratory services, biometric services, drug interaction, proof of concept, conducting phase II – IV clinical trials on new medical interventions in various therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases (including Malaria & Typhoid fever), Oncology (breast cancer), cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, heart failure), psychiatry, respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis) and metabolic diseases (osteoporosis),” explains R Chelvi, Director, Mithas Labs Clinical Trials Research Foundation Pvt Ltd.
When many industries across sectors are reeling under the pressure of economic recession, the recession has not had much affect on clinical research. According to industry experts the industry is on a high growth path and it would require around 50000 professionals by 2010.
Job opportunities in this sector are as Clinical research Associates, Clinical research co-coordinators, Project managers, Principal investigators, Laboratory analysts, Clinical data Managers, Data Archivist, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, Medical writers, Data entry operators, SAS analysts, Biostatisticians etc. Also, there are opportunities in human resources, finance and business development in this sector.
Do you have it?
So what are the essential requirements to get into this growing sector? Dr Shilpa S Puthran, HOD – Clinical Research & Immunochemistry, Metropolis Health Services (India) Ltd explains a graduate in science or a medical professional can enter into clinical research. “A certificate or diploma in clinical research from any recognised institute including Institute of Clinical Research (ICRI), Clinical Research Education and Management Academy (CREMA), Manipal institute of clinical research etc can add more value,” adds Puthran. Adding to it Rao says, “A good knowledge about clinical practices and regulatory issues and good management and communication skills are also important for a clinical research professional.”
Lack of experience is not a barrier to seek a career in this sector as many organisations absorb freshers and provide them on the job training to make them competent enough. Taking advantage of the cost effectiveness and competent work force an increasing number of multinationals are outsourcing their clinical trials to India, making a career in clinical research a safe bet for many aspirants.
